Mia Love, Pioneering Political Figure, Dies After Battle with Brain Cancer

Saratoga Springs, Utah — Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, passed away at home on March 23, 2025, after a long battle with glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain cancer. Surrounded by her family at the age of 49, Love’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in American politics.

Love was first diagnosed with glioblastoma in March 2022 and was given a prognosis of 10 to 15 months. She not only surpassed that prognosis but continued to champion her beliefs and influence others until her final days. On social media, her family shared, “With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today.”

Just weeks before her passing, on March 11, Love expressed her “living wish” for the country, stating, “The goodness and compassion of the American people is a multiplier that simply cannot be measured.” Her remarks underscored her unwavering belief in the nation’s potential for kindness and community support.

Born on December 6, 1975, in New York City, Love’s journey began with her family’s immigration from Haiti, where her father, Jean Maxime Bourdeau, fled oppression as a political dissident. After settling in Norwalk, Connecticut, she developed a passion for musical theater and graduated from the University of Hartford.

Aconvert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Love moved to Utah and began her career as a flight attendant. She married Jason Love and became a mother of three. Her entry into local politics began in response to a community issue with midges overtaking her new home. Love rallied neighbors and successfully forced local builders to address the problem, leading her to run for city council in 2003.

Following two successful terms on the Saratoga Springs City Council, Love was elected mayor in 2009. In the wake of redistricting after the 2010 census, Love set her sights on the U.S. House. Despite being considered an underdog, she won the party nomination and was elected to Congress in 2014.

Throughout her congressional tenure, Love was a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the only Republican at the time, where she emphasized the need for listening to diverse perspectives across political lines. “The best government is the one closest to the people,” she once stated, reflecting on her own experiences and those shared by colleagues from different backgrounds.

Love was known for her outspoken opposition to divisive rhetoric within her party, notably responding to remarks by former President Donald Trump regarding Haiti. She urged him to apologize, arguing that his comments were unkind and contrary to American values.

After leaving Congress, Love continued to share her insights as a political commentator on CNN and held academic fellowships, including at Georgetown University. In early 2022, she began experiencing severe headaches, ultimately leading to the brain tumor diagnosis. Following aggressive treatments, which included entering a clinical trial at Duke University, Love maintained hope despite her prognoses. “I would believe the diagnosis,” she remarked, “but I would not believe the prognosis.”

In her final weeks, Love shifted her focus from treatment to spending quality moments with her family. Her legacy as a pioneering figure in American politics will be remembered not just for her accomplishments but for her message of unity and resilience. Love is survived by her husband Jason, daughters Alessa and Abigale, son Peyton, and many other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements are pending.